Laundry machine



Allg'-J 25, 1936- w. A. FANTz E-r L I' 2.052,392

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed May 27, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS WalterFran W.v A. FRANTZ ET AL nm 3 9 1 5, 2 uw u .A

LAUNDRY MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet `2 Filed May 27, 1932 INVENTORS Wal terA. Frantz John J.

9 Cabe ATTORNEY 25, 1936- w. A. FRANTZ ET Al.

LAUNDRY MACHINE I Filed May 27, 1952- 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 llllllllllATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1936.

w. A. `FRAISITZ ET A1. LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed May '27, 1932 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Walter. Frantz BY Jahn J. ccabe ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1936.kw. A. FRANTZ ET Al.

LAUNDRY MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet 5 Filed May 2'@ 1932 a ac/ r9' MTM mf m.Nr .O n; n Nhh A I 9 5 8,9 Z a/J/ Patented Aug. 25, 1936 LAUNDRYMACHINE Walter A. Frantz, Shaker Heights, and John J. McCabe, Cleveland,Ohio, assignors to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company, Cleveland,Ohio, a corporation of i Ohio Application May 27, 1932, Serial No.614,000 20 Claims. (Cl. 259-101) This invention relates to combinedclothes washing and wringing machines, and in particular, washingmachines which employ an oscillating agitator for performing the washingoperation.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide in a machine of thetype disclosed, novel supporting and securing means for the tub in whichthe washing operation is performed.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the typedisclosed, a shield formed from a pluralitypf removable panels'forprotecting and thermally insulating the washer tub.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of thetypedescribed, *a form of agitator and tub bottom construction which isarranged to prevent the clothes from working underneath the base of theagitator.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machin-eoperating mechanism of unitary construction, in which the motor andother operating elements of the mechanism can beassembled and tested asa unit separate from the machine. n

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the typedisclosed, a simple and compact washer drive mechanism, in which themajority of the operating elements are grouped for movement 'about acommon axis.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine ofthe typedisclosed, an improved -means for starting and stopping the operation ofthe dasher or agitator.

Another object of this invention is to providev in a machine of the typedisclosed, an improved frame construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the typedisclosed, an improved supporting structure for the tub and the operatiing velements of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the typedisclosed, an improved means for handling the liquid used in effectingthe washing operation.

Another object of this invention is. to provide in a machine of the typedisclosed, an improved means for securing the caster bearings inposition in the supporting l-egs of the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the typedisclosed, an improved form of gearing fordriving the wringer and thewasher mechanisms. i

' A further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of thetype disclosed, a generally driving mechanism.

improved and simplified mechanism embodying a minimum number of parts,which are designed and assembled so as to permit the manufacture of sucha machine by modern high speed factory production methods. 5

Wi'th these and other objects in view, the invention Aconsists in thenovel construction, arrangement and combination of parts, hereinafterdescribed and illustrated and some of its embodiments in theaccompanying drawings, and par-10 ticularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View, partly in section, of our improvedwashing machine.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 15 line 2 2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of our improved washing machine. e y

Figurer 4 'is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4 4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5 5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6 6, Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view, partly in 25 section, ofthe washer oragitator driving mechanism.

Figure 8 is any enlarged plan view, partly in section, of the reductiongearing of the wringer Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9 9,Figure '7.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-l0, Figure 7. e

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure '7, showing theagitator driving gears in their disengaged position.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line l2 l2, Figure '7.

Figure 13 is a plan view of the stamped metal base of the machine.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on line Il lll, Figure 13.

Figure 15.is an enlarged side elevational view of that portion of thetub supporting base which receives the mechanism control lever.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view takeny through one` of the nutswhich are riveted to the base for receiving the bolts by means of whichcertain of the elements of the machine are secured to the base.

Figure 1T is an enlarged sectional view 'of the drain valve, taken online Il l'i, Figure 3. 4

Figure'18 is a plan view of the tub drain opening and strainer shown insection in Figure 17.

Referring to the complete washing machine illustrated in Figure l,thenumeral I indicates a washer tub which isprovided for the purpose ofeffecting therein the washing of clothesandf other articles. Above thewasher tub, there is positioned a wringer 2, by means of which adherentliquidis squeezed from the clothes after they have beeniwashed orrinsed. The tub I is preferably formed from a steel stamping to which acoating to the agitator 3, through suitable gearing which will b edescribed in detail presently.A

The agitator or dasher 3, operates with a reversely rotary movementabout a vertical axis and swings through an ar'c of substantially onehundred and eighty degrees during its operation.y The wrlnger 2 ismounted for swinging movement in the collar 5, of the top plate 6, andit is driven by the motor 4, through suitable speed reducing gearingwhich is housed and supported on a level below the bottom of the washertub.

The washer tub I, is secured in place between a stamped metal basemember 1, and the die-cast metal top plate 6. Four supporting legs 3,are secured directly to the base member. The supporting legs areprovided with casters 9, to facilitate moving the machine about fromplace to place.

The washer tub is clamped in place on the machine between the top plate8, and the base 1, by means oi' the tie rods I0. These rods arerectangular in vcross section and are ilnished withupper andlowerthreaded ends II and I2, respectively. The upper threaded ends of therods are received in drilled and threaded bosses I3, which are formedintegrally with the top plate at spaced intervals on its underside.

The lower threaded ends of the rods project through suitable holes I4,pierced in the base member 1, and they are iitted with nuts I5, by meansof which the top plate is brought into engagement with the channeledrubber ring Il which is fitted over the top edges of the washer tub. Anumber of rubber pads I1, are interposed between the base 3 and thebottom of the washer tub.

In this manner a strong and resilient mounting is provided for the tub.The stated tub holding means does not require the piercing of the tubsfor bolt holes and the like, thus eliminating the possibility of leakageat such points.

Chipping, cracking and crazing of the porcelain enamel ofthe tub duringthe assembling oi' the machine or in its subsequent use, is practicallyeliminated through the expedient of gripping the tubs between a yieldingmaterial such as rubber which is in contact with a relatively large areaof the tub, This mounting arrangement avoids the setting up of localizedstrains in the tub and thus eliminates the most common cause of failureof the enamel of the tub.

The tie rods I0, are drilled and tapped at I3, for the reception of thescrews I9, which serve to hold the finishing strips 20, in contact withthe vertical edges of the removable panels-2|. The

- lower edges of the panels are fitted with channeled strips of rubber`22, for the sake of appearance and to insure sealing contactwiththe base1, of the machine at these points.

The removable panels 2Ik enhance the appearance of the machine and atthe same time, serve to thermally insulate the washer tub. andto protectit yagainst damage. The panels4 are of sufilcient strength to withstanda relatively heavy blowv and even though they are damaged by such ablow, 'the enameled tub, in most cases, will be found to be unharmed andthe machine can be easily reconditioned by simply replacing, the damagedpanel with a n ew one. This operation is easily performed by rst,removing the two strips 20, which hold the -panel in question,whereupon` the panel ycan be removed and a new one inserted in itsplace.

The emptying of the contents of the tub is un-l der control of a plugvalve, the operating member of which is indicated by the numeral 23. Adrain hose 24 is attached at one end to the valve and at its opposite.end the hose is provided with a goose-neck 25, which is secured to thehose by means of a swivel connection 26. An apertured ear 21 is formedin the top plate 6 for receiving the goose-neck of the hose.

The operation of the agitator 3, is controlled by means of a controllever`23, to which is secured a grip or handle 29. The control lever 23,is capable of occupying three fixed positions: in the rst position, themotor 4 is inoperative; in the second position the motor is connected toan electricA circuit thus placed in operation; and in the thirdposition, the washing machine agitator 3 is connected in operatedrelation with the wash- Iing machine gearing and the driving motor.

The top plate 6, is provided with an opening 30. which registers withthe washer tub. `A removable cover 3| is provided for the tub opening30. The top plate 1, is provided with an upstanding edge or rim 32 and adownwardlyslanting ledge 33, which extends from the rim to the margin ofthe opening r3l). By this arrangement the water which gets onto the topplate automatically drains back into the tub.

The operation of the wringer rolls is controlled by means of the lever34. This lever may be shifted towards and from the operator to drive thewringer rolls in one direction or the other. In the vertical position ofthe wringer control lever 34, the wringer rolls are inoperative anddisconnected !rom their driving mechanism.

The lever 35 is provided to lock the wrlnger in the various adjustedpositions to 'which it may be swung. The mechanical and structuralieatures o! the wringer and its gearing are shown in detail'in ourcopending application Serial- Number 613,999.

The water and clothes contained in the washer tub are given a vortexmovement by the to and conical base of the agitator. The downwardlyturned edge 38 of the agitator base closely appreaches the conicalupraised portion 39 of the plate, the tub is provided with a conicalraised lportion 39, which extends upwardly into the 75 speed, thecentrifugally operated part 5I of the tub bottom, at a point somedistance above the point where this part oi.' the tub merges into thehorizontally disposed portion 40, of the tub bottom.

As previously stated, the operation of the agi- /tator induces a vortexmovement of the contents of the tub. 'I'he relative movement of thewater and clothes with reference to `the central portion of the tubbottom, isoutwardly and up` wardly and then inwardly and downwardly.

The contour of the agitator base and the exposed area of the upraisedportion of the tub bottom conforms at'this point, approximately' to theilow lines of the moving contents of the tub whenthe machine is inoperation. This arrangement permits better clrculation of the tubcontents with a smaller power consumption than would be possible withthe use'of an ragitator base, the', shape of which tended to oppose thenow of the tub contents or which-varied greatly from the flow lines ofthe moving contents of the tub.

The natural counter-how induced 'at the outermost edges 4I, of thetrailing face of vanes 36, is not sufiicient to throw the clothesagainst' the marginal edge of the agitator base on account of therelatively great distance between these points,

and in the normal operation ofthe machine, the movement of the clothesis always `in a direction away from such point. l

Under abnormal conditions, such as when the machine is loaded with anexcessive amount of clothes, the extended portions 4| of the vanesoperate to sweep the clothes clear of the line where the agitator baseapproaches the `tub bottom.

The agitator 3, is removably secured to its operating shaft 42, by meansof an elongated bolt 43. matic in shape and has a plurality of ilatsides which taper towards the axis of the shaft. The agitator base isprovided with a central socket 45 of complementary form to the prismaticend 44 of the shaft, for receiving this end of the agitator shaft. 'Thisarrangement provides a detachable driving connection between the shaft42 and the agitator 3. The end of the shaft 42 is internally threadedfor receiving the bolt 43, by -means of which the agitator is securelyheld in place on its shaft.

The washer mechanism gearingof the machine is confined within a two-partgear case, the base 46 of which is used to support the motor 4. y 'I'hemechanism in the gear case is driven by the motor 4, by means of a Vbelt 41, which engages the motor pulley 48, and the mechanism pulley 49.A cover 41 is provided for the belts and pulleys;

A centrifugal clutch 58, which is formed in part by the motor pulley 48,is provided to permit the motor to come up to speed before the load ofdriving the washing machine mechanism is imposed upon it. The clutch 50is of similar construction to the clutch illustrated in copendin'g U. S.patent application Serial Number 497,- 678 which was led by W. A. Frantzand A. W. Seyfrled, November 24, 1930.

In the form of clutch Justl referred to, a centrifugally operated clutchmember 5i is xedly connected tothe motor shaft 52. 53, is integrallyformed with the pulley 48.' The drum and pulley are rotatably journaledon the motor .shaft and when the motor comes up to The end 44, of theagitator shaft, is pris A clutch drum Y drives the pulley at the samespeed as that of the motor shaft. If an overload is imposed upon themotor, the clutch immediately begins to slip and thus prevents anydamage to the motor.

The motor 4 is secured to the gear case 46, by means of a pair ofstamped metal plates 54 and 55. These plates are formedwith'complementary channels 56 and 51, respectively, between which thereis received a rubber sleeve 58 and a supporting shaft 59 which itincloses. The motor 4 is pivotally suspended from the projecting ears60'of the gear case, which are apertured for receiving the uncoveredends of the shaft 59.

The stamped metal motor supporting members 54 and 55 are secured to themotor and each other by means of a pair of bolts 6|.

The lower supporting plate 55 is provided with an extending arm 62,which is engaged between the spring 63 and a wing nut 64. The spring 63vis compressed between the arm 62 and the gear case base 46 and itserves to resiliently hold the arm in contact with the wing nut 64. Thewing nut is threaded onto a rod 65, the upper end of which is screwedinto a boss'65, formed on the base 46 of the gear case. The boss 66 alsoserves to position and guide the springv 63, which surrounds it.

A pair of dielectric washers 61 and 68 are provided to insulate the arm62 from the spring 63 and the nut 64. The upper washer 61 is engaged bythe spring 63 and the lower washer 63 is engaged by the wing nut. Theprovision ofthe washers just mentioned, and the rubber sleeve 58, whichformsa sheath for the shaft 59, serves to electrically insulate themotor 4 from the rest of the machine. The sleeve 58 has flanged ends 69,for preventing contact between the plates 54 and 55 and the ears 68. Thearm 62 is slotted orforked at 10, for receiving the rod 65.

The spring 63 is arranged to resiliently oppose lthe pull of the belt 41and it co-operates with the rubber sleeve 58 to provide'a resilient andflexible mounting for the motor 4. By this arrangement the motor noisesare not transmitted to and amplified by the rest of the machine and anclutch, frictonally engages the drum 53 and.

extreme degree of'quietness in operation is attained by reason of suchconstruction.

The lower half or base 45 of the gear. case, may be constructed in theform of a metal casting. The mechanism belt pulley 49 is xedly connectedto a worm shaft 1 I, which is journaled at one end'in an anti-frictionbearing 12. An oil seal 13 is provided between the shaft 1I and the gearcase to prevent the escape of oil at this point. The'opposite end of theworm shaft is journaled in a plain bearing 14, formed in the gear casebase. An eil seal 15 is also provided in the end of this bearing topreventl the 'escape of oil from the gear case. A worm 16 is threadablysecured to the shaft 1I.

The lower end of the agitator shaft 42is journaled ina bearing 11, whichis formed in the boss 6.6 of the gear case base. The shaft 42 provides abearing for the Worm gear 18, which meshes with the Worm 16. Aneccentric 19 having a hole 80, adjacent to its marginal edge for thereceiving of the agitator shaft 42,-is xedly secured to the top of theWorm gear 16 by means of the bolt 8|, which isV screwed into the gear18. A connecting rod or pitman 82., receives the eccentric 19 in asuitable bearing83, formed in one of its ends. 'I'he rod 82 is held inplace on the eccentric by means of a plate 84 which is extends beyondthe edge of the eccentric to cover the. bearing portion 83, of theconnecting rod.

, b/ar 90 is vslideably fitted in ,a laterally moveable member 93.

The side 94 of the curved rack bar, which is opposite to the side uponwhich its gear teeth 95 are cut, is H shaped in cross section. This part'of the bar issmoothly finished andvis4 received in a channel 96 of thebearing member 93, which is C shaped in cross section. ing; member 93 isreceived in a` channel member 98 which is xedly secured to the gear casebase by means of the drive screws 89.

The lateral movement of the bearing member 93 is eifectedby means of apinion |00, which meshes with the rack teeth formed in the opening |02,which is provided through the bearing member' 93. The pinion |00 is inthe fcnn of an elongated mutilated gear having a suicient number ofteeth |03 formed thereon, to shift the bearing member a slight distanceback and forth in its guideway 98.

` `{I'he pinion |00 is provided. with an enlarged cylindrical lower end|04, which is journaled in a suitable bearing |05 formed in the base ofthe gear case. Ihe gear teeth 95 of the rack bar' engage with the gearteeth of the pinion |06, which is fixedly secured to the agitator shaft42, by means of a key |01.

From the foregoing it is apparent that during the time of operation ofthe motor 4, the worm 18, the worm gear 18 and the eccentric 19 arecontinuously driven, the lattertwo elementsbeing rotated about theagitator shaft 42, as a bearing pin. At the same time the connecting rod82 reciprocates the curved rack bar 90 back and forth in its slideway98, and thismovement of the rack bar is transmitted through the pinion|08 to the agitator shaft l42, giving it a reversely rotary angularmovement of substantially one hundred and eighty degrees in eachdirection. It is understood; of course, that such movement `of `theagitator shaft takes place only when the rack bar 90 is in mesh with theagitator shaft pinion.

The bearing hole 89 of the rack bar, is placed at a considerabledistance from the agitator shaft pinion |06, so that the direction. ofthe force transmitted'by the pitman 82 kto the rack bar 90 vcloselyapproaches a direction tangent to the curvature of the rack bar. Thisarrangement insures a free running mechanism with low frictional powerlosses.

The driving of the agitator shaft-may be controiled at will by simplyrotating in one direc'- tion orI the other, the pinion |00, whichcontrols the position of the rack bar bearing member 93. The agitatorshaft 42 provides a bearing linember forthe worm gear 18 and itsassociated eccentric 19, thus permitting a very compact arrangement ofthe elements of such a mechanism while, at the same time, eliminatingseveral parts, such asthe worm gear supporting shaftand its associatedbearings which are customarily employed in such mechanisms.

The rectangular base 91 of the bearl I sleeve ||9 of the4 segmentalpinion |08.

f segmental pinion |08, is operatively geared to a 1 shifting.. quadrant||0. This quadrant has gear teeth |.|,|,.which meshwith the gear teethof the pinion |08'. Y

The quadrant ||0, is` rotatably supported about the agitator shaftbearingv member ||2, and is heldin. position thereat by means of theplates or clips ||3, integrally formed on the bearing member ||2. Aplurality of bolts ||4 serve to hold the bearing member in place on thegear case cover I|5. .The shifting quadrant has an integrally formed armIIB, to which the shifting lever 28 is secured by means of the bolts||1.

The gear case cover ||5 may be formed from a metal stamping withsuitable openings for the agitatorl shaft, bearing ||2, and the segmentshifting pini'on |00. IAn annular bearing ||8,A

is pressed out off the gear case covervfor receiving and providing abearing forthe depending This pinion is also provided with a downwardlyturned y'outer edge |20, which is provided for the purpose of retainingthe packing ring |2| in' place.

The packing ring |2`| is provided to.; prevent the escape of oil fromthe gear case at the bearingfv The gear case cover is formed with anoutwardly turned edge |22, for engaging the correspondingly formed topedge |23 olf/the cast metal base of the gear case. A plurality of bolts|24,

are used to secure the upper and lower portions of the gear case to eachother. A`n annular ring |25, is welded to theunder side of the gear casecover about an opening which is provided to receive the bearing member||2. The ring |25 is .provided to strengthen and thicken the gear casecover at this point so that it may be drilled and tapped for receivingthe bolts 4, provided to hold the bearing member ||2 in place on thegear case cover. v Y

The bearing member |2 is provided with an upstanding sleeve |v whichforms an `annular cup for catching and retaining the small amount of oilor, grease which may escape from either the packing material |21provided to seal the shaft 42, or from the gear case itself, by way ofthe agitator shaft bearing.

Should an unusual amount of oil collect in the cup, the capillaryattraction of the packing |21 will tend to take up some ofv it, 'whilegravity also acts to return such oil to'fthe gear case. If desired, thecupmay be packed with hard grease to better insure the lubricationof theshaft packing and the shaft bearing over an extended period of time andthus assist in preventing the escape of water from the tub and oil fromthe gear case.

The packing material |21 is retained in an exteriorly threaded cup-likedie cast member |28, which is arranged to extend through a centralopening provided `in the bottom .of the tub I.

The member |28 is held in position by means of an upper die-cast locknut |29 and a lower die.

of the cup |30 to effect Niquid-tight seal at this point.

opposite end of. the spiral groove.

maintained in the fluid-tight adjustment aboutv the shaft 42, by meansof a slidably fitted packing gland |33 and a dat spiral spring |34,which is interposed between the cup |30 and the gland |33.

The cup |30 and the inner face of the upwardly extending sleeve orcollar |35 of the bearing member ||2 are formed with a plurality ofcomplementary flat sides or faces. The dat faces of the sleeve areindicated by the numeral |26. The cup |30 is loosely fitted in thesleeve |35 of the bearing member ||2. The complementary fiat sides ofthe cup |30 and the sleeve |35 cooperate with each other to prevent thenut from unthreading itself from the inner cup |23 and also serve tohold the cup from turning, thus facilitating the application or removalof. the upper nut |29. The packing means just described, is supportedentirely by the tub bottom and is free to move on the shaft which itseals to take care of irregularities in the fitting of the parts of themachine and to permit relative movement between the tub and theoperating mechanism V Should it ever be necessary to renew the packingmaterial, the cup |28 can be readily removed through the tub bottom forthis purpose without disturbing the rest of the machine.

The gear shifting pinion |08 and quadrant ||0 and the agitator shaftbearing ||2 may be constructed of die castings to eliminate 'a largenumber of machining and other finishing operations on such parts. 'Ihebearing member 93, for the rack bar 90 also may be constructed of a diecasting.k l

A spiral groove |36 is formed on a portion of that part of the wormshaft 1|, which is received in the bearing 14. One end of the spiralgroove |36 is in contact with the oil in the gear case and during therotation of the shaft, the spiral groove causes oil to be forced intothe annular groove |31 which is out in the shaft at the The bearing 14is drilled at a point opposite to the annular groove |31 for thereception of the oil pipe |33.

This pipe communicates with the annular groove |31 and conducts oiltherefrom to the top surface of the member 93.

The web las of the member sa is located one lower level than themarginal edges'of this member and thus`provides a shallow open containerwhich is capable of holding considerable amount of lubricant. Achannel|40, is c'ut in the top of the c shaped guideway 96 for its lubrication.The rack bar is notched at |4| for the escape of oil from thefguidewayto the depression |42, provided in the rack bar. Oil. from the depressedpart of the rack bar flows over the agitator pinion |06 by way of thenotch |43.

, In this manner a combined gravity and force-y feed lubrication systemis provided for the working parts of the machine and a very small amountof oil in the gear case will effectively lubricate all of the mechanismin the gear case.

The worm shaft 1| extends through the gear v case at the bearing 14 and'isthere connected to a horizontal drive shaft |44, by means of auniversal joint |45. The universal joint is, provided with a cover |46for retaining a supply of grease about the joint. The opposite end ofthe drive shaft |44 is connected by means of a similar universal joint|41 to the wringer worm shaft |46. This joint is also provided with adirt excluding 'and grease retaining cover |49.

A spring |50 is carried in one end of the connecting shaft |44 to` takeup the end play and prevent the vibration of the shaft when itoperates.A channel or trough-shaped guard |5| is supported beneath the shaft |44.This guard extends a distance beyond the ends of the shaft and serves tocatch the oil that might; escape from the bearings beneath which it ispositioned, as well as providing a guard for the shaft |44.

The worm shaft |48 is journaled in a ball bearing |52 and a plainbearing |53, which is formed in the wringer drive gear case V| 54. Theshaft |46 is provided with a worm |55, which is rigidly fixed thereon ata point intermediate the ends of the shaft.' An oil seal |56 preventsthe escape of oil from about the bearing |52. The worm |55 engages aworm gear |51, which is mounted on the shaft |58, for rotation about avertical axis. The worm gear shaft |58 is journaled at its lower end ina bearing |59 which is formed in the gear case |54. A cover |60 issecured to the top of the gear case by means of the bolts |6|. The coveris formed with a bearing |62 for the upper part of the worm gear shaft|58. The cover is secured to the machine base 6 by the bolts |63, whichpass through holes formed in the laterally projecting ears |64 of thecover.

' The worm gear |51 is pinned to its shaft |58. The upper end of theshaft |58 is coupled tothe wringer drive shaft |65, by means of adetachable coupling |66. The wringer column |61 is received at its lowervend in the cover |60 and at its upper end in the wringer supportingcollar 5. The collar 5 is notched at |68 to receive the locking lever35, which is pivotally mounted at |69 on the wringer gear case |10.

l The base 1 of the machine is formed from a steel stamping and it isprovided with a depressed portion |1|, for the purpose ofstrengthening-and 'stiilening it. -The base 1 is provided at its outerwith an upstanding wall |13, which defines an opening through which thegear case cover ||5 projects. By reason of this construction, a Veryrigid, yet light weight base is provided.

A plurality of threaded nuts |14 and |15 are riveted to the base for thepurpose of receiving the bolts which are used to secure the washer gearcase and the legs of the machine to the base. 'I'he ends of the nuts |14are ground down to the proper height after they have been riveted to thebase to insure the accurate fitting of the gear case.

'I'he lower half of the base 46, of the agitator driving mechanism gearcase, is provided with three ears |16, upon which are formed the pads|11. These pads are ground level with the top of the gear case and aredrilled at |13 for the reception of the bolts by means of which the gearcase is secured to three nuts |14, which are carried by the stampedmetal base 1.

The skirt |12 of the base is pierced for receiving the legl securingrivets |16, one of which is provided for each of the legs. The legs areof stamped metal construction.

The top of the legs rest against the underside weight of the machine;and for this reason. they are not apt to become loosened in the use ofthe machine.

, in a bearing member |80, which is received in the .lower end ot ,thelegs. The bearing member |80 i .is held in position by crimping the edgeportions |8| of the legs into a depression |82, formed in the bearingmember |80-, thus providing a strong land inexpensive torm of securementfor the caster bearing.

The motor 4 is controlled by a toggle ,switch |88, actuated by theoperating lever 28.- The switch |88 is operated by a spring (not shown)`in one direction and by the lever` 28 inthe opposite direction; thus,when the lever 28 is shifted upwardly, as viewed in Figure 2, theswitchcloses and starts the motor, and when the lever is shifteddownwardly,the lever 28'engages the switch to break the circuit.

The operating lever 28 works in a slot H84, provided by the plate |85,which is secured by the bolts |86 in position over the slot |81, andwhich is formed in the skirt |12 of the base.' The plate |85 islaterally adjustable for adjusting the position o1' the lever 28, whenthe stops |88 and |89 of the quadrant and segmental pinion |08 have beenadjusted or filed down, to compensate for wear between the agitatorshaft pinion and its driving rack bar 90. The plate |85 is provided withthree notches |90 and |9| and |92, formed in one side o! the slot |84for locking the operating lever 28 in its oil position, motor operatingposition and washing position respectively.

`The switch |83 and its control means are shown in detail and claimed incopending application for U. S. Letters Patent Serial-No. 619,505 filedby Paul E. Frantz on June 27, 1932.

The base member 1, has a circular hole punched out at |99, and anotherhole in its skirt at |94, for receiving the tub drain valve. valve isin'the form of an L` shaped tting |95, which has an internally threadedside opening |98, for receiving the threaded valve plug 23. The valveplug co-operates with a valve seat |91, integrally formed vwith thefitting.

The outer end of the fitting is threaded at |98, for receiving thecoupling |99 of the hose 24. The other end of the fitting |95 isthreaded at 200, to permit its connection to the elbow 20|. Theupper endoi' the elbow is formed with a ilange 202, and has an internallythreaded hexagonal end portion 203, which is received in a hexagonalhole 204 provided in the tub bottom.

A threaded strainer 205 is screwed into the elbow 20| to hold it inplace on the tub. Gaskets 206, are positioned between the tub and thestrainer and the flange oi' the elbow, to provide -a leak-tight joint atthis point.

The valve is braced by means of a plate 201, which closely fits the Lfitting |95 and which is secured to the skirt |12 by the bolts 208.

Furthermore it isx to be understood that the particular forms ofapparatus shown and described, and theparticular procedure set forth arepresented for the purposes of explanation and .that various modicationsof said apparatus and procedure can be made without departing from .ourinvention as described in the appended claims. r

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In a laundry machine, a casing for holding liquid and articles to bewashed, washing means in said casing, power operated gearing for drivingsaid washing means, a supporting structure i. 78

lor said casing and gearing having an annular This operativelyassociatedwith s'aid gearing, a gear on one end of said member, a secondgear meshf ing therewith and rotatable about a vertical axis locatedcentrally o! said supporting structure, and lever means for rotatingsaid second gear having an operating handle projecting beyond themarginal portion of said supporting structure.

2. In a laundry machine, a liquid container, laundering'instrumentalities rin said container, a support for said container,operating mechanism carried by said support including a rotatable shaftoperably associated with said laundering instrumentalities andtraversing a wall ofsaid container, said shaft being held againstmovement in an axial direction, and sealing means for said shaft at theplace where it traverses the wall of said container comprisingshaftengaging packing material, a packing gland therefor and securementmeansfor said gland accessible from the interior of said tub wherebysaid gland and the packing material therein may be removed from themachine by way of the in- L terior of said tub, said sealing means beingsupported solely by the wall of said container so that the containerwall is free to move axially of said shaft and relatively thereto.

3. In a laundry machine, a liquid container, launderinginstrumentalities in said container, a support for said container,operating mechanism, a case for said mechanism xedly secured to saidsupport, said mechanism having a rotatable shaft operably associatedwith said laundering instrumentalities and traversing a wall of saidcontainer, said shaft being held against movement in an axial direction,and sealing means for said shaft at the place where it traverses thewall of said container comprising shaft-engaging packing material, apacking gland therefor and securement means for said gland accessiblefrom the interior of said tub whereby said gland and the packingmaterial therein may be removed from the machine by way of the interiorof said tub, said sealing means beingsupported solely by the wall ofsaid container so that the' con'- tainer wall is free to move axially ofsaid shaft and relatively thereto.

4. In a washing machine,` a washing tub for containing both clothes anda detergent liquid, agitating means in said tub for eiecting the washingoperation, a driving shaft for operating said means extending through awall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base forsaid operating means and said tub, a seal for said shaft carried by thewall of said tub, means for securing said seal to the wall of said tubcomprising a threaded member inside of said tub and a threaded memberoutside o! said tub, and means rigid with `said supporting base forvsecuring said last named member against rotation, said last named meansloosely engaging said outer threaded member whereby it is free to moveaxially of saidshaft.A

5. In a washing machine-a washing tub. for

tub comprising a member inside said tub threadably connected to a memberoutside said tub, and

. means rigid with -said supporting base for securing said last namedmember against rotation, said v last named means loosely engaging saidouter threaded member Wherebyit is free to move axlially of said shaft.

6. In a washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes and adetergent liquid, agitating means in said tub for eifecting the washingoperation, a driving shaft for operating said means extending through aWall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base forsaid operating means and said tub, a seal for said shaft carried solelyby the Wall of said tub,

, means for securing said seal to the wall of said tub comprising amember inside said tub threadably connected to a member extendingoutside said tub, said members having Wrench engaging flat sides, and asocket member for receiving' the wrench engaging portion ofthe memberrigid with said base which is outside thel tub for holding the sameagainst rotation.

7. In a washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes and adetergent liquid,

agitating means in said tub for electing the Washing operation, adriving shaft for operating said means extending through a wall of saidtub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base 'for saidoperating means and said tub, a seal for said shaft carried solely bythe wall of said tub, means for securing said seal to the wall of saidtub comprising amember inside said tub threadably connected to a memberextending outside said tub, said members having wrench engaging Aflatsides, and a socket member rigid with said base and being ofcomplementary form to the wrench engaging portion of Ithe member whichis outside the tub for receiving and holding the same against rotation.

8. Ina washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes and adetergent liquid;

agitating means in said tub` for 'effecting the Washing operation, adriving shaft for operating said means extending through a wall of saidtub, operating means for said shaft, a supporting base for saidoperating means and said tub, a seal Vfor said shaft carried solely bythe Wall of said tub, means for securing said seal Ito the wall of saidtub comprising a member inside said tub threadably connected to a memberextending outside said tub, said members having wrench engaging atsides, 'and a socket member rigid with said base loosely receiving thewrench engaging portionof the member which is outside 'the tub forholding the same against'rotation.

9. In a laundry machine, aliquid container, a. support for said'container, laundering instrumentalities in said container, operatingmechanism, a' gear case for said mechanism carried by said supportbeneath said container, said operating mechanism including a shaftprojecting from the gear case and extending through the bottom of saidcontainer, said gear case having a cupy surrounding said shaft at thepoint where it emerges from said gear case, and a seal for said shaftsealed to the bottom of said tub and projecting loosely into said cupsaid seal being held against rotation by said cup.

10. In a laundry machine, a support, a liquid container carried by saidsupport, laundering instrumentalitiesin said container, andvoperatinglmechanism for said laundering instrumentalities carried by saidsupport, said operating mechanism including a gear case and a projectingshaft traversing the bottom of said container and optalities and also acup carried by the top of said gear case and surrounding said shaft toprovide a receptacle for oil escaping from the `gear case by Way of'saidshaft and a seal for said shaft extending into said cup where it is inposition to be lubricated by oil carried in the cup.

11. In a. laundry machine in combination, a liquid container, a supportfor said container, laundering instrumentalities'in said container,operating mechanism for said laundering instrumentalities comprising agear case and a shaft extending from said gear case and connected toport, laundering instrumentalitiesin said liquid container, operatingmechanism for said laundering instrumentalities carriedby the undersideof said support, said operating mechanism including a gear case andaprojecting shaft traversing the bottom of said container and connectedto said laundering instrumentalities, sealing means for said shaft atthe place where it enters said container, and a bearing member for saidshaft carried by the top of said gear case, said bearing member beingsurrounded by a cup in which the bottom of said sealing means isreceived whereby liquids escaping from the gear case at the shaftbearing or liquids escaping from the container at the shaft seal' willbe caught and collected in said cup.

13. In a laundry machine, in combination, a support, a liquid containercarried by said support, laundering instrumentalities in said container,operating mechanism for said laundering instrumentalities Vincluding anoperating shaft traversing the bottom'of said casing, s'haft sealingmeans sealed to the bottom of said container, supported solely therebyand having an aperture for the reception of said shaft, said sealingmeans having soft packing in engagement with said interior ofrthe tubfor adjusting the packing means, and means rigid with said supportloosely engaging a part of said sealing means for preventing itsrotation.

. 14. In a laundry machine, a liquid container, launderinginstrumentalities in said container, kan operatingl shaft for saidlaundering instrumentalities traversing the wall of said container, andmeans for sealingA said shaft at the point where it traverses thecontainer wall carried solely by such wall, said sealing meanscomprising a pair of='opposite1y disposed nested vcups lthe bottoms ofwhichare located inside and outsidev said tub, packing means carriedinside of said cups and means accessible from the interior of thecontainer foradiusting one of Isaid cups with respect to the.other andfor securing said cups to the container wall.

` 15. In a laundry machine, in combination, a support, a liquidcontainer carried by said support, laundering instrumentalities in saidcontainer, an operating shaft for said laundering instrumentalitiestraversing an aperture in the wall of said container, shaft sealingmeans carried solely by the wall of said container for preventing erablyconnected to said laundering instrumenshaft and also having means,accessible from the 5 0 container comprising packing means in engagementwith the shaft and retaining means for 5 said packing means arranged topermit removal of the packing from inside said container withoutremoving said shaft, and means rigid with said support loosely engaginga part of said sealing means for preventing its rotation.

16. In a washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes anda detergent liquid, agitating means in said tub for eiiecting thewashing operation, a driving shaft for operating said means extendingthrough a wall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supportingbase for said operating means land said tub, a seal for said shaitcarried by the wall of said tub, means for securing said seal to thewall of said tub comprising a threaded member inside of said tub and athreaded member outside of said tub, and means for securing said lastnamed member against rotation, said' last named means loosely engagingsaid .outer threaded member whereby it is free to move axially of saidshaft.

17. In a laundry machine, a supporting structure having an annularmarginal portion, a casing having a compartment for containing liquidand articles to be washed carried by said supporting structure,agitating means in the com- 1 partment of said casing, operatingmechanism carried by said structure and arranged to be connected anddisconnected in driving relation with said agitating means, a controllever for eecting such connection and disconnection, said control leverbeing plvoted for movement about a vertical axis located substantiallycentrally oi the compartment of the casing, and yan operating handle forsaid lever extending beyond the annular marginal portion of saidsupporting structure.

18. In a laundry machine, a casing having an annular side wall portionfor holding'liquid and articles to be washed, said side wall portiondenning a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, washingmeans insaid casing, power-operated gearing for driving said washing means, asupporting structure for said casing-fand gearing, and

control mechanism for connecting vand disconnecting said gearingtosaid'washing means comprising a member :lournaled for movement in ahorizontal plane about the axis lof the annular side wall portion ofsaid casing.'` movement compounding means connecting said member to saidgearing and an operating handle for said member projecting radiallybeyond the annular side wall of said casing.

19. In a laundry machine, axcasing having an` annular side wallportion-for holding liquid and articles to be washed, said side wallportion deiining a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, washingmeans in said casing, power-operated gearing for driving said washingmeans, said gearing having 'an exteriorly located bearing member, asupporting structure for said casing and gearing, and control mechanism'for connecting and disconnecting said gearing to said washing meanscomprising ,a member journaled on said exteriorly located bearing formovement in a horizontal plane about the axis of the annular side wallportion of saidfcasing. movement compounding means connecting saidmember to said gearing and an operating handle for said memberprojecting beyond the annular side wall portion of said casing.

20. In a laundry machine, a casing for holding liquid and articles to bewashed, said casing having an annular side wall formed as a surface ofrevolution about a vertical axis; washing means in said easing,poweroperated gearing for driving said washing means including a drivingshaft traversing the bottom of said casing and coaxial with the verticalaxis thereof a supporting structure for said casing and gearing, andcontrol mechanism for connecting and disconnecting said gearing. to saidwashing means comprising, a lever journaled for movement about the axisof said shaft and an operating handlevtherefor extending radially beyondthe lower portion oi the side wall of said casing.

WALTER A. 'FRANTL JOHN J. MocABE.

f CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.'

Patent No. 2,052,392.

WALTER A. FRANTZ', y ET iL.

I t ishereby certified that error appears in the printed s the abovenumbered patent requirin l column, lines 21 and 22.,- clai'm 6 andinsert the same after "member" in line 20, after "cup" insert a` comme.;and that the said Letters Patent shou withthese corrections vthereinthat the same may conform to the re case in the Patent Office. 'i

' Signed andv sealed this 15th day of December, A. .DL 1936.

(Seal) Page '7, Rfirst Henry Van 'Arsdale Acting Commissioner ofPate-nts...

August 25, 1936 pacification of' ld be read cord of' th 40ture.

container comprising packing means in engagement with the shaft andretaining means for 5 said packing means arranged to permit removal ofthe packing from inside said container without removing said shaft, andmeans rigid with said support loosely engaging a part of said sealingmeans for preventing its rotation.

16. In a washing machine, a washing tub for containing both clothes anda detergent liquid, agitating means in said tub for eiiecting thewashing operation, a driving shaft for operating said means extendingthrough a wall of said tub, operating means for said shaft, a supportingbase for said operating means land said tub, a seal for said shaitcarried by the wall of said tub, means for securing said seal to thewall of said tub comprising a threaded member inside of said tub and athreaded member outside of said tub, and means for securing said lastnamed member against rotation, said' last named means loosely engagingsaid .outer threaded member whereby it is free to move axially of saidshaft.

17. In a laundry machine, a supporting structure having an annularmarginal portion, a casing having a compartment for containing liquidand articles to be washed carried by said supporting structure,agitating means in the com- 1 partment of said casing, operatingmechanism carried by said structure and arranged to be connected anddisconnected in driving relation with said agitating means, a controllever for eecting such connection and disconnection, said control leverbeing plvoted for movement about a vertical axis located substantiallycentrally oi the compartment of the casing, and yan operating handle forsaid lever extending beyond the annular marginal portion of saidsupporting struc- 18. In a laundry machine, a casing having an annularside wall portion for holding'liquid and articles to be washed, saidside wall portion denning a surface of revolution about a vertical axis,washingmeans in said casing, power-operated gearing for driving saidwashing means, a supporting structure for said casing-fand gearing, and

control mechanism for connecting vand disconnecting said gearingtosaid'washing means comprising a member :lournaled for movement in ahorizontal plane about the axis lof the annular side wall portion ofsaid casing.'` movement compounding means connecting said member to saidgearing and an operating handle for said member projecting radiallybeyond the annular side wall of said casing.

19. In a laundry machine, axcasing having an` annular side wallportion-for holding liquid and articles to be washed, said side wallportion deiining a surface of revolution about a vertical axis, washingmeans in said casing, power-operated gearing for driving said washingmeans, said gearing having 'an exteriorly located bearing member, asupporting structure for said casing and gearing, and control mechanism'for connecting and disconnecting said gearing to said washing meanscomprising ,a member journaled on said exteriorly located bearing formovement in a horizontal plane about the axis of the annular side wallportion of saidfcasing, movement compounding means connecting saidmember to said gearing and an operating handle for said memberprojecting beyond the annular side wall portion of said casing.

20. In a laundry machine, a casing for holding liquid and articles to bewashed, said casing having an annular side wall formed as a surface ofrevolution about a vertical axis; washing means in said easing,poweroperated gearing for driving said washing means including a drivingshaft traversing the bottom of said casing and coaxial with the verticalaxis thereof a supporting structure for said casing and gearing, andcontrol mechanism for connecting and disconnecting said gearing. to saidwashing means comprising, a lever journaled for movement about the axisof said shaft and an operating handlevtherefor extending radially beyondthe lower portion oi the side wall of said casing.

WALTER A. 'FRANTL JOHN J. MocABE.

f CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.'

Patent No'. 2,052,392.

August 25, 1936 WALTER A. FRANTZ', y ET iL.

I t ishereby certified that error appears in the printed s the abovenumbered patent requirin l column, lines 21 and 22.,- clai'm 6 andinsert the same after "member" in line 20, after "cup" insert a` comme.;and that the said Letters Patent shou withthese corrections vthereinthat the same may conform to the re case in the Patent Office. 'i

' Signed andv sealed this 15th day of December, A. .DL 1936.

(Seal) g correction as follows:

strike out the words "rigid with 'said bas same claim; line 6'7, claim-9 Page '7, Rfirst Henry Van 'Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Pate-nts...

pacification of' ld be read cord of' th

